Requesting a RallyPoint salute for CAPT Chris Cigna

2015-12-06T23:42:05-05:00

In April of this year, while stationed in Rota, Spain, Navy Commander Chris Cigna was diagnosed with Glioblastoma. Through his difficult treatment, Commander Cigna has remained strong, defiant, and in the fight without fear.
Tomorrow (Monday, 7 Dec), he will be frocked to Captain O-6 at Walter Reed.
Please join me in congratulating & saluting CAPT Cigna on this accomplishment!

Wishing him and his family continued strength and courage as they remain in this fight.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 6 at 2015 11:47 PM

2015-12-06T23:47:00-05:00

Congratulations Captain. And good luck.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 11:48 PM

2015-12-06T23:48:14-05:00

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 6 at 2015 11:50 PM

2015-12-06T23:50:41-05:00

Congratulations Skipper!

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Dec 6 at 2015 11:52 PM

2015-12-06T23:52:08-05:00

Congratulations Sir! BZ!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 11:54 PM

2015-12-06T23:54:43-05:00

BZ sir, stay strong!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 6 at 2015 11:57 PM

2015-12-06T23:57:56-05:00

CAPT Chris Cigna, Hand salute, Recover!
Congratulations, Captain Sir.

Best of all to you and yours,
CSM Charles H Hayden

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Dec 7 at 2015 12:27 AM

2015-12-07T00:27:33-05:00

Congratulations to the captain from me too!

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Dec 7 at 2015 12:32 AM

2015-12-07T00:32:23-05:00

Congratulations, CAPT Cigna. *Hand salute!* Keep up the good fight, Sir. 25 years ago my 28-yr sister died of glioblastoma, so you have beat the odds. I survived stage IV neck cancer with the help of outstanding military physicians. You are in excellent hands, I'm sure. Semper paratus!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2015 1:33 AM

2015-12-07T01:33:44-05:00

Congratulations sir!!

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2015 2:36 AM

2015-12-07T02:36:14-05:00

Bravo Zulu, Sir. Good luck as you move forward both personally and professionally!

Response by SFC Stephen King made Dec 7 at 2015 4:37 AM

2015-12-07T04:37:25-05:00

Congratulations CAPT Cigna *Hand Salute*

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2015 6:06 AM

2015-12-07T06:06:40-05:00

Congratulations Captain Cigna! Prayers to you and your family in your battle. May the Lord bless you all!

Response by MAJ David Wallace made Dec 7 at 2015 6:14 AM

2015-12-07T06:14:49-05:00

Keep up the fight, sir!!!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2015 7:52 AM

2015-12-07T07:52:51-05:00

Salute.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2015 10:52 AM

2015-12-07T10:52:05-05:00

Sir, Congratulations! Keep up the good fight!

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Dec 7 at 2015 11:39 AM

2015-12-07T11:39:47-05:00

Wishing him a Refua Sheleima - a complete healing of spirit and body...

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Dec 7 at 2015 11:59 AM

2015-12-07T11:59:04-05:00

All the best, Captain. On your promotion and your speedy recovery. Keep up the good fight!

Response by PO3 Dan Schrader made Dec 7 at 2015 3:56 PM

2015-12-07T15:56:50-05:00

My thoughts and prayers are with you Captain

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Dec 7 at 2015 7:08 PM

2015-12-07T19:08:56-05:00

**UPDATE** It is with a heavy heart that I announce CAPT Chris Cigna passed away this morning. Chris battled valiantly with the support of this loving family, friends, and Naval comrades. May we remember him as a great military leader, family man, and someone who left this world a better place. Many blessings and prayers go out to Chris, his wife Jenn Cigna, and their entire family.
One final salute from all of us.

Post from Dec 2015:
I'd like to send along an update I just received from our RP Team Member Mike Swartz who attended this promotion ceremony today. He said it was a wonderful event and everyone was in high spirits to see CAPT Chris Cigna promoted. You'll see a few photos here that the family wanted us to share with our RallyPoint community. Chris was joined today by his wife Jenn, 2 daughters Emma & Lauren, Rear Admiral (Ret.) Kevin Sweeney, and the Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus.

Cigna family - You have all our support and prayers. As a military family, we stand with you always!

Response by CAPT Douglas McDonald made Dec 9 at 2015 9:12 PM

2015-12-09T21:12:43-05:00

Attention on deck !!!

Response by PO1 Joseph Glennon made Dec 18 at 2015 12:52 AM

2015-12-18T00:52:59-05:00

A friend of mine - for most of my life! - and a Navy vet was diagnosed with the same thing on his 50th birthday. He was initially given "up to 4 months" to live.

This is the worst and the best of cancers:
Worst: Most aggressive, and hardest (so far) to "cure" or remove. Kills very fast, unless caught and stopped.
Best: Unlike most other cancers, this one doesn't spread to other parts of the body... the person doesn't have to feel his body withering away, doesn't have to watch his family suffer with him for years (or months) as he weakens and shrinks into a shadow of his former self.

The first tumor they removed from my friend was about the size of a golf ball, and was behind his eye. Before they could start radiation / chemo, what was left of the first tumor had regrown into a tumor the size of an egg.

They did the radiation thing in November and December. He's doing much better now - they seem to have stopped it. We'll know more after the chemo - but, the Captain's got a lot better treatment available to him. I'll be praying for his healing and recovery!

Response by CDR Kenneth Kaiser made Dec 23 at 2015 10:23 PM

2015-12-23T22:23:21-05:00

God Bless him. I have a good friend whom I hope is recovering from this and I lost a step daughter to a similar illness.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jan 6 at 2016 2:32 PM

2016-01-06T14:32:08-05:00

Kick this cancers butt CAPT. That way you can get back to breathing a little salty air keeping the Navy on track. Best wishes and stay strong!!!

Response by CW3 Jim Norris made Jan 6 at 2016 3:18 PM

2016-01-06T15:18:03-05:00

CAPT Cigna - God Bless, following winds and seas be your lot for eternity.....Jim

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jan 6 at 2016 3:45 PM

2016-01-06T15:45:48-05:00

DUTY FIRST Sir....and there is NO QUIT allowed!

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2016 5:31 PM

2016-01-06T17:31:24-05:00

Congratulations Captain Cigna! God bless you and your family!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 10:58 AM

2016-01-07T10:58:43-05:00

Keep up the good fight Capt Cigna! Our prayers are with you!

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2016 5:17 PM

2016-01-09T17:17:20-05:00

Congratulations CAPT Cigna....wishing you strength and many years of continued success!

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 11:35 AM

2016-01-16T11:35:32-05:00

RIP Sir! We have the Watch!

Response by CAPT Michael W. Langston, PhD, DMin made Feb 24 at 2016 1:16 PM

2016-02-24T13:16:26-05:00

Congrats on the promotion Chris, my prayers are with you.

Response by Dave Gleason made Dec 9 at 2016 12:14 PM

2016-12-09T12:14:00-05:00

CDR CIGNA was Flag Secretary when I was at NATO in Norfolk. He was one of the best bosses I ever had!! General Mattis thought he was super too.

Response by SN Earl Robinson made Jan 31 at 2017 8:08 AM

2017-01-31T08:08:41-05:00

I salute you Captain Cigna. Stay brave and true to God and country Sir.